Casino plan favored by survey participants (updated)

A proposal promoted by the state’s nine track racino operators won favor from a majority of 802 registered voters surveyed by Kiley & Co. earlier this month.

Kiley, hired by the New York Gaming Association, found that 55 percent of those polled support the idea of allowing the video lottery terminal facilities to transform into full-blown casinos, potentially replacing VLTs with slot machines.

The survey results also found that 70 percent like the job Gov. Andrew Cuomo is doing but 54 percent thought the state is heading in the wrong direction and 68 percent expect tougher times ahead.

The gaming association is armed with lobbying teams that will be promoting a resolution to change the state Constitution to allow for racetrack casinos with a majority of proceeds directed toward publice education. Such a change would require passage by two separately elected Legislatures followed by a general election victory, a process that could conclude in November 2013.